Fiction: Creative Co-Production

About the Funding

This funding is for live-action or animated feature films (live-action or animated TV projects are not eligible) originating outside Ireland in which an Irish producer (ROI) is involved as a creative collaborator, not merely a service producer and provider of a minority of the finance needed.

The film must be structured as an official co-production with third party funding from the leading territory in place and must employ key Irish talent.

Priority will be given to projects that utilise Ireland as a film location, depict Ireland for Ireland, and where a number of key Irish HOD's and/or Irish cast are employed. Reciprocity from funding agencies in other jurisdictions will be sought in appropriate circumstances.

Funding is unlikely to be given, or it will be limited, in cases of co-production where:

the eventual film will have little or no visual Irish content or no apparent cultural connection with Ireland

no principal photography is taking place in the Republic of Ireland

the Irish creative elements are limited to one or two actors and one or two HOD's working outside Ireland

only a part of post-production is taking place in Ireland (full digital visual effects productions in Ireland will be positively regarded)

Enhanced funding will be considered in the following circumstances:

the film was shot entirely in Ireland, shows Ireland for Ireland on screen, and tells an Irish story

the film is an adaptation of a work of Irish cultural importance

the Writer and/or Director is Irish

where major international distribution is attached at application stage

where Irish talent have been cast in key roles

As a matter of principle, films supported by Screen Ireland Creative Co-Production funding must be approved as official co-productions under a bilateral treaty or the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production. Where in exceptional cases Screen Ireland agrees to waive this requirement, the film must still be structured as a bona fide co-production in which ownership, rights and revenues are shared among the co-producers. Screen Ireland will not waive the requirement for official status in respect of co-productions with the UK.

Films funded under the Creative Co-Production programme may be made in any language.

Who Can Apply

Creative Co-Production funding is available to Irish producers defined as independent production companies registered in the Republic of Ireland which have an office and staff based in the Republic of Ireland). Funding is available to co-produce and collaborate creatively on a live-action or animated feature film originated outside of Ireland which is structured as an official co-production having secured third party funding from the leading territory. Clear access to the necessary rights in any material that is to be adapted for the screen and an agreement in place with the screenwriter and director must be obtained before submitting an application.

How to Apply

Applicants must consult the Production Funding Guidelines 2019 in advance of making a submission. Applications which do not meet the criteria set out in these guidelines will automatically be deemed ineligible for consideration.

A Project Manager must be consulted at least three weeks prior to making an application. If this is an application for a project that is currently in the Screen Ireland system, please contact the relevant Project Manager. If this is an application for a new project, please fill out the Production Application Request Form and email a copy to Jennifer.smyth@screenireland.ie at least three weeks prior to the deadline.

Applications can be made online using the 'Make an Application' button on this page. If you wish to make an application for funding by post, contact 091 561 398 for the relevant application form.

Production Application Deadlines for 2019

Friday 15th February *May BAI applications must be in by this deadline*

Friday 12th April

Friday 14th June

Friday 16th August *November BAI applications must be in by this deadline*